What is most important issue facing aboriginal youth today?

Take a statistical snapshot of the Aboriginal youth population in Canada today - and it's a portrait of both promise and woe.

The human potential is enormous, with growth rates in aboriginal communities three to four times the national average.

Aboriginal youth are increasingly educated, and many are expressing pride in their culture and heritage.

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Yet, aboriginal youth are still far more likely than their non-aboriginal peers to be wards of the state, live in low-income families, drop-out of high school, be unemployed, suffer from poor health, wind up in prison, or commit suicide.

CBC Aboriginal and The Early Edition on CBC Radio 1 in Vancouver is running a special series on aboriginal youth in B.C.'s Lower Mainland next week, in partnership with the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism's Reporting in Indigenous Communities course.

We'll have stories on the popularity of mixed-martial arts, the youngest chief in B.C., challenges facing young aboriginal women in the trades, and more. Our series launches April 14.

• First elk hunt in 125 years for Tsleil-Waututh Nation

[PHOTOGALLERY]But we want to hear from you, too.What do you think is the most important issue facing Aboriginal youth in Canada?

Share your opinions with us online, on Facebook and Twitter.